IACLEA Blueprint for Safer Campuses

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

IACLEA Blueprint for Safer Campuses Overview of the Virginia Tech Tragedy and Implications for Campus Safety The IACLEA Blueprint for Safer Campuses IACLEA Special Review Task Force April 18, 2008 SUMMARY This document is a synthesis of the reports written following the tragedy at Virginia Tech and related recommendations for campus safety by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators AUTHORS Raymond H. Thrower, Convener and President, International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), Gustavus Adolphus College Steven J. Healy, Immediate Past President, IACLEA, Princeton University Dr. Gary J. Margolis, Past General Chair, IACP University & College Police Section, University of Vermont Michael Lynch, George Mason University Dolores Stafford, Past President, IACLEA, The George Washington University William Taylor, Chair, IACLEA Government Relations Committee, Past General Chair, IACP University & College Police Sector, Rice University IACLEA Analysis of the Virginia Tech Tragedy Table of Contents Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3 IACLEA’s Key Recommendations ............................................................................................................................................................5 Emergency Planning and Critical Incident Response .........................................................................................................................................5 Empowering and Resourcing the Campus Public Safety Function ........................................................................................6 Prevention and Education Programs to Address Campus Safety Risks.........................................................................7 Ancillary Issues Related to the Virginia Tech Tragedy.......................................................................................................................................7 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................8 Summary of 10 Key Findings Of Virginia Governor's Review Panel .............................9 Fatal Shootings on U.S. Campuses .......................................................................................................................................................10 IACLEA Position Statement - Concealed Carry Initiatives .............................................................12 This report is dedicated to those whose lives were taken on April 16, 2007 at Virginia Tech: Ross Abdallah Alameddine Rachael Elizabeth Hill Partahi Lumbantoruan Christopher James "Jamie" Bishop Emily Jane Hilscher Lauren McCain Brian Bluhm Jarrett Lane Daniel O'Neil Ryan Clark Waleed Mohammed Shaalan Juan Ortiz Austin Cloyd Leslie Sherman Minal Panchal Jocelyne Couture-Nowak Maxine Turner Erin Peterson Daniel Perez Cueva Nicole White Michael Pohle Kevin Granata Matt La Porte Julia Pryde Mathew Gregory Gwaltney Henry J. Lee Mary Karen Read Caitlin Hammaren Liviu Librescu Reema Samaha Jeremy Herbstritt G.V. Loganathan 2 IACLEA Analysis of the Virginia Tech Tragedy INTRODUCTION The impact of the rampage shootings at Virginia Gun violence on university and college campuses is Tech on April 16, 2007 continues to be felt across not new. While Virginia Tech’s tragedy is by far the the country and the world. Clearly this incident, deadliest in history for an institution of higher edu- along with other active shooter incidents that have cation, others have also been unfortunate. On Feb- occurred since the Virginia Tech tragedy, has im- ruary 8, 2008, a lone female student opened fire in pacted our awareness of campus safety and security. a classroom at Louisiana Technical College in Baton A number of states, other governmental entities, Rouge, Louisiana, killing two students before taking and non-governmental organizations have convened her own life. On February 14, 2008, a former groups to examine the lessons learned from the Northern Illinois University graduate student en- tragedy at Virginia Tech and other aspects of cam- tered a packed auditorium-style classroom on the pus safety. IACLEA applauds these on-going efforts NIU campus in DeKalb, opened fire and killed five and believes the national attention that is focused students before taking his own life. In September on this issue presents an opportunity to initiate a 2006, Douglas Pennington killed himself and his national dialogue to strengthen campus public two sons during a visit to Shepherd University in safety and enhance the protection of our estimated Shepherdstown, WV. In October 2002, University 15 million students attending the nation’s 4,200 in- of Arizona Nursing College student Robert Flores stitutions of higher education. murdered three of his instructors on campus before committing suicide. In January 2002, former Ap- In August of 2007, in the wake of the Virginia Tech palachian School of Law student Peter Odighizuwa tragedy, the International Association of Campus killed the dean, a professor and a student, while Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) sought wounding three more, before being subdued by to develop a set of recommendations for institutions other students. In August 2000, University of of higher education through a public safety lens. Arkansas student James Easton Kelly shot and killed IACLEA President Raymond H. Thrower, Jr. con- Professor John Locke before taking his own life in vened a high-level task force to review the various re- an apparent murder-suicide. In August 1996, Freder- ports and make recommendations to the IACLEA ick Martin Davidson, a graduate engineering stu- Board of Directors for a coordinated position on dent at San Diego State University shot and killed the various issues raised by these reports and possi- three professors during his doctoral dissertation de- ble further action by IACLEA and other entities. fense. In November 1991, University of Iowa gradu- This Task Force includes the immediate past presi- ate student Gang Lu opened fire in two buildings dent of IACLEA and a former president; the chair and killed five people, wounded two and then killed of IACLEA’s U.S. Government Relations Commit- himself. Finally, in August 1966, Charles Whitman tee, two past chairs of the International Association climbed the clock tower on the University of Texas- of Chiefs of Police University & College Police Sec- Austin campus and killed sixteen people with a tion, and a representative from a Virginia public sniper rifle while wounding thirty-one others. Uni- university. Several of the members of the review versities and colleges owe it to the victims and their panel also serve on the International Association of families to understand these crimes and take appro- Chiefs of Police Review Panel convened by then- priate measures, when and where possible, to ensure IACP President Joseph Carter. the safety of their communities. While nothing could have prepared Virginia Tech As final reports have not been prepared following or any institution to deal with the loss of life of some of these incidents, this Blueprint does not ad- April 16, 2007, IACLEA would be remiss if it didn’t dress these implications. In preparing this docu- study and learn from the successes and failures of ment, the authors consulted and referenced the the response to the incident. This Blueprint ex- following documents: plores the key applicable findings and identifies IACLEA recommendations for institutions of • Mass Shootings at Virginia Tech, April 16, 2007, higher education. The Blueprint is divided into 3 Report of Review Panel, Presented to Governor major categories identified as foundations of cam- Kaine, Commonwealth of Virginia, August 2007 pus safety: Emergency Planning and Critical Inci- dent Response; Empowerment and Resources of the • Investigation of April 16, 2007 Critical Incident Campus Public Safety Function; and Prevention At Virginia Tech Prepared by Office of the Inspec- and Education Programs. tor General For Mental Health, Mental Retarda- tion & Substance Abuse Services, James W. Stewart, III. Report: # 140-07 3 IACLEA Analysis of the Virginia Tech Tragedy • Presidential Internal Review, Working Group Re- • Association of American Universities August, 2007 port on the Interface Between Virginia Tech Coun- Survey on Safety on AAU Campuses after the Vir- seling Services, Academic Affairs, Judicial Affairs ginia Tech Shootings and Legal Systems, Submitted to President Charles Steger, August 12, 2007 • Report of the Campus Safety Task Force Presented to North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper • Oklahoma Campus Life and Safety and Security Task Force (CLASS) Final Report, January 15, 2008 • National Association of Attorneys General, Task Force on School and Campus Safety, Report & Rec- • New Jersey Campus Security Task Force Report, ommendations, September 2007 Submitted to Governor Jon S. Corzine, October 2007. • Report to the President of the United States on Is- sues Raised by the Virginia Tech Tragedy, June 13, • Expecting the Unexpected - Lessons from the Vir- 2007 ginia Tech Tragedy, by American Association of State Colleges & Universities • The Report of the Virginia Tech Review Panel Syn-
Recommended publications
  • Refine Technologies to Create Active Orthotic Devices
    Refine Technologies to Create Active Orthotic Devices TASK GROUP DESCRIPTION Background Current orthoses were developed ultimately to enhance function of people disabled by injury to the limb (traumatic transaction of muscle and peripheral nerve) or by disorders that interfere with the muscle-nervous system, such as muscular dystrophies, stroke, spinal cord injuries, and weakness from aging. With few exceptions, currently marketed orthotic devices are passive and designed to overcome the weakness and instability produced by the pathology as well as to maintain the limb in an optimum functional position. The most common example is the polypropylene ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) designed to keep the foot and ankle at 90º to optimize foot contact and prevent foot drop in swing phase. The thermoplastic AFO is often designed with an articulating element between the foot and shank segments, thus allowing the patient some ankle motion. More elaborate braces for persons with spinal cord paralysis generally include the theromoplastic AFO linked to metallic uprights on the inner and outer shank and thigh. The uprights can even extend to a waist belt or trunk support (e.g., knee-ankle-foot orthosis [KAFO] or hip-KAFO. Hinges interposed at the knee and the hip are typically actuated manually or by cable systems. Patient-based research shows that the functional advantage of using these orthoses are difficult to measure. This may underlie the observation that while many children wear orthoses, during the transition to adults the orthoses are abandoned. The bulky stiff plastics, while providing support for the joint Page 1 of 9 encompassed, interfere with body center of mass transition during walking.
    [Show full text]
  • License to Kill How Lax Concealed Carry Laws Can Combine with Stand Your Ground Laws to Produce Deadly Results
    AP PHOTO/SETH PERLMAN PHOTO/SETH AP License to Kill How Lax Concealed Carry Laws Can Combine with Stand Your Ground Laws to Produce Deadly Results By Arkadi Gerney and Chelsea Parsons September 2013 WWW.AMERICANPROGRESS.ORG Introduction and summary The shooting death of Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman’s subsequent acquittal have focused the nation’s attention on expansive self-defense laws—so- called Stand Your Ground laws—that enable an individual to use deadly force even in situations in which lesser force would suffice or in which the individual could safely retreat to avoid further danger. Leaders from around the country, including President Barack Obama5 and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder,6 have questioned how Florida’s law—which is similar to laws enacted in 21 other states—may have contributed to the circumstances that led to Martin’s death. Yet the Martin case also implicates another set of laws: the state laws governing who may carry concealed firearms—the laws that put a gun in Zimmerman’s hands in the first place. Under Florida law, even individuals such as Zimmerman, who have a criminal history and a record of domestic abuse, are generally entitled to a concealed carry permit, as long as they are not barred from gun possession under federal law and as long as their offense does not meet a very narrow range of additional exclusions under state law.7 If Zimmerman had applied for a permit in one of the many states with stronger permit requirements, his history of violence and domestic abuse would likely have disqualified him from obtaining a concealed carry permit.
    [Show full text]
  • In Memory of Professor Liviu Librescu
    In Memory of Professor Liviu Librescu Professor Liviu Librescu, 1930-2007 Renowned Researcher and Educator in Aeroelacticity, Thermal Stresses and Composites Professor Librescu from the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics died in the Virginia Tech tragedy on April 16, 2007, as he lived, devoted to his students and to his profession. His last action was to sacrifice himself to save the students in his classroom. At the hearing of the shooting, he blocked the door with his body while telling his students to jump from the window. He was shot through the door and killed. All his students survived but one. Professor Librescu survived the Holocaust and earned his Ph.D. from the Academy of Sciences in Romania (1969) where he stayed as a faculty member. He then immigrated to Israel from Romania during the communist regime and spent his sabbatical in 1985 in the Engineering Science and Mechanics Department at Virginia Tech where he stayed since then, continuing his research in aeroelasticity, thermal stresses and composites. He was a wonderful educator and a prominent researcher with numerous journal and conferences papers (“More journal articles and conference papers than anyone else in the field” say his colleagues) and a book - Thin-Walled Composite Beams: Theory and Application, with O. Song, Springer, 2005 -. He also served on the Editorial Board of seven different journals, helped organize many international congresses and symposia, and had recently participated in a project administered by the NRC involving researchers from his native Romania. Professor Librescu’s death is a great loss to the mechanics community.
    [Show full text]
  • Implementation Considerations for Policies Permitting Guns on Campus in Kansas Paige S
    JUSTICE POLICY CENTE R Implementation Considerations for Policies Permitting Guns on Campus in Kansas Paige S. Thompson, Jahnavi Jagannath, Emily Reimal, and Sino Esthappan August 2019 In 2013, Kansas became the 11th state to enact a law allowing faculty, staff, and students to carry concealed firearms in campus buildings at public higher education institutions. Termed “campus carry” policies, these laws may explicitly allow guns on college campuses, or they may permit them implicitly by remaining silent on the matter or repealing an existing prohibition. Before this type of legislation was enacted in the United States, only law enforcement and security officials were permitted to carry firearms at public higher education institutions. This brief is one of two resulting from the Urban Institute’s research on a law in Kansas allowing eligible people to carry concealed firearms at public higher education institutions. It explores public university officials’ perceptions of laws allowing guns on campus and offers recommendations to consider during the planning and implementation process associated with similar laws. In 2003, Colorado became the first state to enact a law permitting concealed firearms to be carried on campus. Known as the Concealed Carry Act, the law declares that a concealed carry permit is valid “throughout the state,” with no specific exemption for public higher education institutions.1 In 2004, the Utah Supreme Court ruled that higher education institutions could not ban firearms, making Utah the first state to permit
    [Show full text]
  • Auditing the Cost of the Virginia Tech Massacre How Much We Pay When Killers Kill
    THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/M ASSOCIATED THE AR Y AL Y ta FF ER Auditing the Cost of the Virginia Tech Massacre How Much We Pay When Killers Kill Anthony Green and Donna Cooper April 2012 WWW.AMERICANPROGRESS.ORG Auditing the Cost of the Virginia Tech Massacre How Much We Pay When Killers Kill Anthony Green and Donna Cooper April 2012 Remembering those we lost The Center for American Progress opens this report with our thoughts and prayers for the 32 men and women who died on April 16, 2007, on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. We light a candle in their memory. Let the loss of those indispensable lives allow us to examine ways to prevent similar tragedies. — Center for American Progress Contents 1 Introduction and summary 4 Determining the cost of the Virginia Tech massacre 7 Virginia Tech’s costs 14 Commonwealth of Virginia’s costs 16 U.S. government costs 17 Health care costs 19 What can we learn from spree killings? 24 Analysis of the background check system that failed Virginia Tech 29 Policy recommendations 36 The way forward 38 About the authors and acknowledgements 39 Appendix A: Mental history of Seung-Hui Cho 45 Appendix B: Brief descriptions of spree killings, 1984–2012 48 Endnotes Introduction and summary Five years ago, on April 16, 2007, an English major at Virginia Tech University named Seung-Hui Cho gunned down and killed 32 people, wounded another 17, and then committed suicide as the police closed in on him on that cold, bloody Monday. Since then, 12 more spree killings have claimed the lives of another 90 random victims and wounded another 92 people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time when deranged and well-armed killers suddenly burst upon their daily lives.
    [Show full text]
  • The BG News April 18, 2007
    Bowling Green State University ScholarWorks@BGSU BG News (Student Newspaper) University Publications 4-18-2007 The BG News April 18, 2007 Bowling Green State University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/bg-news Recommended Citation Bowling Green State University, "The BG News April 18, 2007" (2007). BG News (Student Newspaper). 7756. https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/bg-news/7756 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the University Publications at ScholarWorks@BGSU. It has been accepted for inclusion in BG News (Student Newspaper) by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@BGSU. ESTABLISHED 1920 A daily independent student press serving TH E BG N EWS the campus and surrounding community Wednesday April 18,2007 Volume 101, Issue 139 What WWWBGNEWSCOM Homer Simpson if BG aides students in the classroom becomes North Carolina State Univ. adds popular culture into learning Virginia? | PageJ How would the Reservation University react? college aides This story was reported by Menominees Tim Sampson. Freddy Hunt Higher education and Alaina Buxas. and writ- ten by City Hews Editor Lisa offers bigger futures Halverstadt. for Indians with little options | Page 5 In the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings, BGSU students and administnitorsarewonderingwhat RNew Internet would happen if a similar incident game combines occurred at this University. This is what University officials said they golf, sex, fun would do. Porn golf is an Notification interactive way to find At 7:15 a.m. on Monday, Virginia (sexual photos without lech police received a call about two deaths and multiple injuries being called a pervert resulting from a dorm shooting.
    [Show full text]
  • Brief in Opposition ______Clare E
    No. 20-1639 IN THE Supreme Court of the United States _________ GEORGE K. YOUNG, JR., Petitioner, v. STATE OF HAWAII, ET AL., Respondents. _________ On Petition for a Writ of Certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit _________ BRIEF IN OPPOSITION _________ CLARE E. CONNORS NEAL KUMAR KATYAL Attorney General Counsel of Record KIMBERLY T. GUIDRY MITCHELL P. REICH Solicitor General ERIN R. CHAPMAN ROBERT T. NAKATSUJI HOGAN LOVELLS US LLP KALIKO‘ONALANI D. 555 Thirteenth St., N.W. FERNANDES Washington, D.C. 20004 Deputy Solicitors (202) 637-5600 General [email protected] STATE OF HAWAII Counsel for Respondents DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 425 Queen Street Honolulu, HI 96813 Counsel for State of Hawaii Respondents (additional counsel listed on inside cover) ELIZABETH A. STRANCE Corporation Counsel LAUREEN L. MARTIN Assistant Corporation Counsel D. KAENA HOROWITZ Deputy Corporation Counsel COUNTY OF HAWAII 101 Aupuni Street Suite 325 Hilo, HI 96720 Counsel for County of Hawaii Respondents QUESTION PRESENTED Whether Hawaii’s restrictions on the open carrying of small, concealable arms in public are facially un- constitutional. (i) ii PARTIES TO THE PROCEEDING George K. Young, Jr., petitioner on review, was the plaintiff-appellant and cross-appellee below. The State of Hawaii; David Y. Ige, in his capacity as Governor of the State of Hawaii; and Clare E. Connors, Esq., in her capacity as State Attorney General (col- lectively, “Hawaii respondents”); the County of Ha- waii, a sub-agency of the State of Hawaii; Mitch Roth, in his capacity as Mayor of the County of Hawaii; Hilo County Police Department, as a sub-agency of the County of Hawaii; and Paul Ferreira, in his capacity as Chief of Police (collectively, “County of Hawaii Re- spondents”); and John Does, 1-25; Jane Does, 1-25; Doe Corporations, 1-5; and Doe Entities, 1-5, are re- spondents on review.
    [Show full text]
  • Washington DC Shall Issue Must Inform Officer Immediately: YES (See Must Inform Section) DC CCW Links
    Washington DC Shall Issue Must Inform Officer Immediately: YES (See Must Inform Section) DC CCW Links DC CCW Site CCW Application Application Instructions Renew Online Transporting Firearms (From MPD) Mace/Stun Gun Info (From MPD) Firearm Laws Title 22 Subtitle VI Chapter 45 DC Certified Instructors DC Code DC Admin Rules Firearms Registration Title Note: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, 7 Subtitle J Chpt 25 Maine, Montana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Firearms Registration South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and DC Attorney General Wyoming have "Permitless Carry". Anyone who can legally possess a firearm may carry in these states without a Permit/License. Check each Age to Carry a Firearm states page for information on age and other restrictions that may apply. In Other States North Dakota has “Permitless Carry” for Residents only. Last Updated: 9/1/2021 Permits/Licenses This State Honors Listed Below DC does not honor any other states permit/license. Note: DC has moved its Laws to LexisNexis and there are no direct links to any of their laws. How to Apply for a Permit – Registration of All Firearms The DC Metro Police have posted Instructions on How to Apply and an Application that can be printed. The How to Apply document is very wordy but you need to read all of it before applying. Training can be delayed and you can be preapproved without the training if you obtain it within 45 days of preapproval. Cost for the License is $75.00. Payment Information and Fees for MPD Services can be viewed Here.
    [Show full text]
  • Key Officers List (UNCLASSIFIED)
    United States Department of State Telephone Directory This customized report includes the following section(s): Key Officers List (UNCLASSIFIED) 9/13/2021 Provided by Global Information Services, A/GIS Cover UNCLASSIFIED Key Officers of Foreign Service Posts Afghanistan FMO Inna Rotenberg ICASS Chair CDR David Millner IMO Cem Asci KABUL (E) Great Massoud Road, (VoIP, US-based) 301-490-1042, Fax No working Fax, INMARSAT Tel 011-873-761-837-725, ISO Aaron Smith Workweek: Saturday - Thursday 0800-1630, Website: https://af.usembassy.gov/ Algeria Officer Name DCM OMS Melisa Woolfolk ALGIERS (E) 5, Chemin Cheikh Bachir Ibrahimi, +213 (770) 08- ALT DIR Tina Dooley-Jones 2000, Fax +213 (23) 47-1781, Workweek: Sun - Thurs 08:00-17:00, CM OMS Bonnie Anglov Website: https://dz.usembassy.gov/ Co-CLO Lilliana Gonzalez Officer Name FM Michael Itinger DCM OMS Allie Hutton HRO Geoff Nyhart FCS Michele Smith INL Patrick Tanimura FM David Treleaven LEGAT James Bolden HRO TDY Ellen Langston MGT Ben Dille MGT Kristin Rockwood POL/ECON Richard Reiter MLO/ODC Andrew Bergman SDO/DATT COL Erik Bauer POL/ECON Roselyn Ramos TREAS Julie Malec SDO/DATT Christopher D'Amico AMB Chargé Ross L Wilson AMB Chargé Gautam Rana CG Ben Ousley Naseman CON Jeffrey Gringer DCM Ian McCary DCM Acting DCM Eric Barbee PAO Daniel Mattern PAO Eric Barbee GSO GSO William Hunt GSO TDY Neil Richter RSO Fernando Matus RSO Gregg Geerdes CLO Christine Peterson AGR Justina Torry DEA Edward (Joe) Kipp CLO Ikram McRiffey FMO Maureen Danzot FMO Aamer Khan IMO Jaime Scarpatti ICASS Chair Jeffrey Gringer IMO Daniel Sweet Albania Angola TIRANA (E) Rruga Stavro Vinjau 14, +355-4-224-7285, Fax +355-4- 223-2222, Workweek: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30 pm.
    [Show full text]
  • ХРОНІКА ТА ІНФОРМАЦІЯ PROFESSOR LIVIU LIBRESCU (1930–2007) Liviu Librescu Was a Prominent Scientist and A
    ХРОНІКА ТА ІНФОРМАЦІЯ PROFESSOR LIVIU LIBRESCU (1930–2007) Liviu Librescu was a prominent scientist and academic whose major re- search fields were aeroelasticity and aerodynamics. His last academic position was Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). Liviu Librescu was born in August 18, 1930 in the city of Ploieşti, Romania. After Romania allied with Nazi Germany in World War II, his fa- mily, along with thousands of other Jews, was deported to a ghetto in Roma- nia. Liviu as a boy was interned in a labor camp in Transnistria. Liviu Librescu survived the Holocaust, and was repatriated to Communist Romania and became an accomplished scientist. He studied aerospace engi- neering at the Polytechnic University of Bucharest, graduating in 1952 and continuing with a master degree at the same university. He was awarded a Ph.D. in fluid mechanics in 1969 at the Academy of Science of Romania. From 1953 to 1975, he worked as a researcher at the Bucharest Institute of Applied Mechanics, and later at the Institute of Fluid Mechanics and the Institute of Fluid Mechanics and Aerospace Constructions of the Academy of Science of Romania. His career stalled in the 1970s because he refused to swear allegiance to the Communist Party of Romania. When Librescu requested permission to emigrate to Israel, he was fired from his job. In 1976, a smuggled research manuscript that he had published in the Netherlands drew him international attention in the growing field of material dynamics. After years of govern- ment refusal, Librescu family moved to Israel in 1978.
    [Show full text]
  • Eli Wiesel Speaks About His Legacy
    Eli Wiesel Speaks About His Legacy An Interview with Elie Wiesel by Rabbi Asher Jacobson A few years ago, I was invited by Mr. Herbert Black to have dinner with Dr. and Mrs. Elie Wiesel in New York. It was an invitation that I could not refuse after all, Elie Wiesel is more than a speaker, writer, distinguished university professor and recipient of the Noble Peace Prize. He is one of the major figures of our time and has had an indescribable impact on our generation. The encounter was inspirational and moving. I have tried to reconstruct some of what was said that night, and with permission I am honoured to share the depth of this outstanding sage. We noticed that you came tonight with security. Is this because of your recent attack in San Francisco? Yes. Throughout the years, I have received all kinds of vicious hate mail from anti-Semites, anti-Zionists and from Holocaust deniers. Though their words were violent, I tended to ignore them. But today the deniers and haters seem to have accelerated their hate from violent words to violent actions. It’s unfortunate. You are coming toward the end of your career. What is next on your agenda? Without false humility, I honestly feel that I haven’t even begun. What is your main project today? To fight Ahmadinejad, president of Iran. He is the world’s number one holocaust denier. If he can convince the people that the holocaust never happened, then he can go on to preach that the establishment of the state of Israel was founded on false pretenses, and preach its entire destruction.
    [Show full text]
  • Gun Control: Concealed Carry Legislation in the 115Th Congress
    CRS INSIGHT Gun Control: Concealed Carry Legislation in the 115th Congress January 30, 2018 (IN10852) | Related Author William J. Krouse | William J. Krouse, Specialist in Domestic Security and Crime Policy ([email protected], 7-2225) On December 6, 2017, the House of Representatives passed the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 (H.R. 38). The term "concealed carry" is commonly used to refer to state laws that allow an individual to carry a weapon—generally a handgun—on one's person in a concealed manner for the purposes of self-defense in public (outside one's home or fixed place of business). Federal law allows certain active-duty and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms interstate, irrespective of some state laws, but they must first be qualified and credentialed by their agencies of employment or from which they retired. For the most part, however, firearms carriage is a matter principally regulated by state law. Typically, there are two basic types of concealed carry laws: (1) "shall issue," meaning permits are generally issued to all eligible applicants; and (2) "may issue," which are more restrictive, meaning authorities enjoy a greater degree of discretion whether to issue permits to individuals. In 1987, concealed carry was generally prohibited in 16 states, the District of Columbia, and three U.S. territories. Twenty-six states and two territories had "may issue" laws, and seven had "shall issue" laws. One state—Vermont—allowed "permitless" carry, meaning otherwise firearms-eligible individuals could carry without a permit. Over the past 31 years, state laws have shifted from prohibitive "no issue" or restrictive "may issue" laws to more permissive "shall issue," or more recently, "permitless" laws (see Figure 1).
    [Show full text]